Presented by Opposable Thumb Theatre and Nordland Visual Theatre
Review by Hunter King
After purchasing a suit of armour on Ebay, Dik Downey decided that the only rational next step would be to create an adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel Don Quixote. After being stood up by his usual performing partner, Downey decided to pivot to puppets and uses them to tell a one man retelling of the roughly 1000 page novel in less than an hour.
Downey starts the show by donning the armour and having a meaningful and humanizing conversation directly with the audience, explaining his past and how he had gotten to this point. In this way he sets a tone that reminds the audience that Downey is a person, just like everyone else in the audience; a reminder that makes what ensues shortly after all the funnier as he fully embodies the senile and arrogant Don Quixote.
A highlight of the show is the use of puppetry that is consistent throughout. Downey uses multiple puppet styles including glove puppetry, ventriloquism, and finger puppets. All types of puppetry are executed with precision and contribute well to the overall story. Additionally, Downey uses prop comedy well, having most of the props of the show laced with magnets so they can stick directly to the suit of armour he is wearing.
The show builds up to a moment of epic revelry in the final part of the show, where Downey’s life story from the beginning of the show blends with the story of Don Quixote. Whether or not you are a fan of classic literature, or even know the story of Don Quixote, the show is immensely entertaining and guaranteed to contribute to a very silly and life affirming afternoon at the Fringe.
Silly and Life-Affirming
Don Quixote (is a Very Big Book runs at Venue 23, King Dome at Pleasance Dome at 15:25
Running time – Sixty minutes
Review by Hunter King (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Hunter is a 2024 Master’s graduate of the University of Edinburgh and current doctoral candidate with a thesis focused on experimental theatre in Edinburgh. He has been a theatre practitioner for over a decade having worked in many capacities including as a director, actor, stage manager, front of house manager, and technician as well as others. Prior to moving to Edinburgh, Hunter was a high school English teacher in the United States. His passion for the written word as well as his passion for live performance are what motivated him to become a writer for this publication.
